Proverbs 26:20
For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
World Messianic Bible
In The King James Version
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
In Context
19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
Proverbs 26:22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:19-20
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? See here, 1. How mischievous those are that make no scruple of deceiving their neighbours; they are as madmen that cast firebrands, arrows, and death, so much hurt may they do by their deceits. They value themselves upon it as polite cunning men, but really they are as madmen. There is not a greater madness in the world than a wilful sin. It is not only the passionate furious man,… Read the whole commentary →